| Author |
Parenting & Farm Kids:  Hope Chests - Anyone Remember These?  |
|
|
chicken necker
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Sherry
Eastern Shore
Maryland
USA
509 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 8:12:37 PM
|
Yes I am dating myself, and by the Power's that Be, I am still alive to share this.
In my family, through my mother's side, we have a tradition. The HOPE chest. It is a cedar chest that you fill with things you will need for housekeeping and for your hopes and dreams. Traditionally, the chest passes on to the first born daughter. Mine, right now, is my mothers, which I am in the stage of passing down to my first born, Caityln.
I remember the first Christmas that I received something for my chest. In my stocking, at age 15, was a set of ice cube trays and dish towels!!! HUH! I knew then that my days were numbered!
Anyway, I have come up with a new addition to our hope chest.
I am including a recipe book of all our favorites along with general household hints and tips. So I am making a book for each of my daughters to put into their Hope Chest.
FarmGirl Sister #123
Crafty Bay FarmGirls Chapter
Don't argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. |
|
|
KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2008 : 8:14:28 PM
|
That's wonderful! What a great idea!! Make sure to add some "green" cleaner recipes :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
 |
|
|
ArmyWifey
True Blue Farmgirl
712 Posts
Holly
Abilene
KS
712 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 08:33:05 AM
|
Yes --- I always wanted to do this for my girls but we haven't. My Mom still has hers and my sister has one.
Blessings!
Holly
ps-- I spose even though dd's are 18 & 15 it's not to late it's just that it's heavy and one more thing to move in the Army.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
http://timsarmywifey.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 10:22:03 AM
|
I had one when I was a girl. I loved it. I filled it with goodies to use when I got married, and I did that. I think it's a charming idea.
Patricia
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
Rusty Chicks Chapter
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Today I choose faith not fear. |
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 1:10:32 PM
|
I always wanted one when I was a teenager, but I never did get one. When we moved my mom into the Alzheimer's home, I brought hers home with me - it's full of stuff - nothing of any sentimental value - just stuff she bought at the thrift, etc. I haven't emptied it out yet, but when I do, I think I"ll put my pictures and kids school momentos and things in it. It's an old style cedar chest, rounded, the finish isn't in very good shape, but I remember it being in our house as a kid, so I'll probably always find a place for it in my home.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
|
|
|
jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2008 : 2:24:55 PM
|
It was a tradition in our family as I grew up. I used to kid with my mom and say - well, mom I have no chest, so I probably have no hope! She would laugh.
But a cedar chest from the mid-century (as they say nowadays, which really means the 1950's) is my coffee table today. It is filled with family momentos.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Feb 23 2008 2:26:34 PM |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2008 : 11:29:27 AM
|
I have a cedar chest from my great-great Aunt Nora. It is beautiful red and white decorative cedar and it has the most amazing scent when you open it up. I love it. It's finish is so old that it has crazed on top which I just adore. It is one of my most prized possessions.
I am going to either have my dad make one for Nora or buy a really high quality one for her when she is about 10 or so. I am going to try and fill it with high quality linens and hand embroidered things. I think it is so great to have beautiful things to use in your home.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and I our our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
HFox
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Laura
Parkesburg
PA
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 06:30:08 AM
|
I had a hope chest when I was a teenager. It's a custom worth keeping around. I got mine when I was 16. It was filled with a sorts of linens and odds and ends for when I got married. Keep in mind that I had already met my future husband at this time and were planning to marry as soon as I was 18. (Yes... that's right.)
At any rate, I am definately giving hope chests to all my daughters, as soon as they turn 10. I think that I'll add some other things in addition to housewares. Maybe some books that have great meaning to me, and some journals for them to chronicle their (sure to be exciting) lives. |
|
|
|
myfairlady636
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Janice
Fort Bridger
WY
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2008 : 08:31:14 AM
|
I love my hope chest! My dad and brother Ben built it for me for my 16th birthday. It is a tradional cedar chest beautifully handcrafted. My mother was very traditional about making sure I had a few things to start out when I got married. When I was about 12 they had a china program at our local grocery store. When you bought so many groceries you could get one piece for a reasonable price I am not sure exactly how it worked, but she was diligent in making sure I got a complete set and each week would bring home one lovely plate or bowl or cup to place in my "hope chest". When I got the chest at age 16 I had many things to put inside it. Hand made dishtowels, the china, some glasses, pots and pans and some other things I had made. Today, it has some of the precious things I will somday give to the kids like their blessing and baptism dresses, some of the quilts and blankets they used as babies and some of the family treasures that belonged to their grandmother before she passed away.
My Fair Lady Farm Girl Sister # 92
"Our lives have meaning, purpose and direction"
http://millberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://myfairlady636.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 10:25:40 AM
|
Janice, my mom did the same for me. At Winn Dixie grocery store they would have dishes and crystal stemware you could buy for a little bit with a certain amount of purchases. I'm still using the wine glasses and water goblets from then. I started my hope chest when I was about 15. It was made of cedar too and is still at my parent's house in my old bedroom. I should go and get that one sometime.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 12:27:51 PM
|
My mom and grandma bought me the actual Hope Chest when I was 16. I kept my own stuff in it...but I've been thinking lately of emptying it out and filling it the traditional way for my daughter.
My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47
www.beequilting.blogspot.com
http://beemoosie-picture-diary.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
wncmtnmama
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Marilyn
Asheville
NC
25 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 10:38:41 AM
|
My dad made one for me and my 2 sisters - he called it "his" hope chests because he "hoped" he would get rid of us when we each turned 18 !
My hope chest is now in my 4 year olds room as her toy box and has a well loved look to it. |
|
|
|
farminmama
True Blue Farmgirl
63 Posts
Jen
Florida
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 11:33:10 AM
|
| We're doing this for all 3 of my children. I have 2 boys and they will get "legacy chests". I wanted them to have things from their grandpa...tools and such. We started doing recipe cards with my daughter. Everytime she makes a new dish of some sort, she writes it down on a recipe card. When she was little, she renamed things. Instead of Ranger cookies or Chocolate Brownies she would call them "Seth, Cody, & Daddy's Christmas Cookies" or "Nammies Spiced Cider". It's cute to read her cards with the names of people she made them for. :) |
|
|
|
joyfulmama
True Blue Farmgirl
1175 Posts
Debra
Silver Springs
NV
USA
1175 Posts |
|
|
sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 4:31:48 PM
|
My dad made me one when I was about 18. I wanted it so desperately at the time and filled it up quickly. Now it is in my bedroom filled with clothes and stuff that I hardly wear. My husband had one too (he did not use it as a hope chest, but just for storage) so each kid will have one when they leave. Maybe we could start "hoping" that they leave soon (they are both in their 20s) and take them with them!
My quilting and life blog!!
http://downtoearthliving.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
| |
Parenting & Farm Kids: Hope Chests - Anyone Remember These? |
|
Hope Chests - Anyone Remember These?
